Indonesia has launched the first phase of its 2026 National Vocational Training Program, with more than 10,000 participants beginning courses nationwide to enhance workforce skills and job placement.
Manpower Minister Yassierli said the first batch started simultaneously on April 1, reflecting strong public interest, with 29,850 applicants registering through the government’s Skillhub platform.
“Public enthusiasm for this program is high, with a total of 29,850 applicants in the first phase,” he said in a statement issued in Jakarta.
Of those applicants, 10,405 were selected, including 5,833 through a competitive process and 4,572 through affirmative partnerships with industry and community organizations.
Participants are distributed across 21 government-run vocational training centers (BLK), 13 training units under the Directorate General of Vocational Training and Productivity Development, and 46 locally managed centers (BLK UPTD).
Yassierli said vocational training remains a government priority to improve human capital quality and accelerate job absorption in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
The program targets 70,000 participants throughout 2026, funded by the state budget, as part of broader efforts to address unemployment and skills gaps.
He said the simultaneous rollout aims to ensure equal access for job seekers across the country to improve their competencies.
"With this system, we want to ensure every job seeker has the same opportunity to upgrade their skills,” he said.
The program is designed to be inclusive, offering equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in training programs.
About 50 percent of participants in the first batch have secured job placement commitments upon completion, indicating strong alignment between training outcomes and industry demand.
Participants receive free training, meals, transportation support, work accident and death insurance, training and competency certificates from the National Professional Certification Agency, and dormitory facilities for selected programs.
"These supports are essential to ensure participants can focus on learning without financial burden,” Yassierli said.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunt
Editor: Primayanti
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